Business 'brisk' at Inverness carpet store since reopening after coronavirus lockdown
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The Palombo family originally moved to the Highlands from their native Italy way back in 1880 and have a long association with Inverness.
In 1955 Joseph Palombo was specialising in carpeting and flooring which he distributed across the north of Scotland.
His son, Peter Palombo, said this was his first business venture and he was able to open a shop in Falcon Square in 1966 when he was able to take advantage of the abolition of the retail price maintenance laws in 1964.
Previously retailers had been prevented from selling goods below a certain price but Mr Palombo was able to set up his Carpet Discount Centre and sell quality carpets at lower prices.
They subsequently opened branches in Tain and Dingwall and, in 1970, they opened a new shop – called Carpet World – in Church Street in Inverness.
Peter Palombo said the businesses were extremely popular and successful and in 1973 they bought the Lochgorm bonded warehouse, in Millburn Road, where they are currently based.
He said the building was originally built in 1890 and added: “Initially we used it as a distribution warehouse for the branches. In 1976 it was decided to open this as a retail warehouse, open to the public, closed down the other two Inverness shops and the business name was changed to Lochgorm Warehouses.”
It is still very much a family-run business – Mr Palombo, his sisters Donna and Jocelyn all work there, and they have since expanded into selling furniture as well.
Mr Palombo (above) said the area had dramatically changed since they first moved to Millburn Road and he remembered a time when there were auction marts on the opposite side of the road.
He said: “We are currently operating throughout Scotland with carpet and flooring work and we have an online presence throughout the UK.”
The company supplies both domestic and commercial customers, having recently refitted Crown Court Hotel in Inverness as well as a hotel in the Callander area, and Mr Palombo felt the secret of their success was through hard work and consistently providing good service and value for money.
He said since reopening business had been “brisk” which was possibly because people had used their time constructively on things like home improvements and they needed the finishing touches. “It has been quite positive and they were glad to see us open again,” he added.
Mr Palombo thanked Inverness BID for the work they had done throughout the current situation.
He said: “BID has been extremely helpful to us and an excellent source of contact for advice on a number of issues.”
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